IRON BALUSTER INSTALLATION / EASY DIY RE-SECURE *NO GLUE* : MEASURE, CUT, INSTALL, STAIRCASE UPDATE!

[@Topjunkie-r4s]

I am a home renovation junky and Project Manager with over $400m in industrial, commercial & residential projects completed - this video was insanely helpful! Well done!

[@cmcasey131]

Getting ready to do this and this seems to be the easiest and quickest way. Thank you for the video sir.

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you for the comment! Please let me know if you have any questions! Have a blessed day!

[@williewillteeztorres8502]

Excellent detailed video .

[@cmcasey131]

I’m usually not one to comment on a video but this video is great. I am just an average guy that has a wife that looks at Pinterest and decided to replace our spindles. Never done it before a day of my life but this by far was the easiest way to install them. Once again thanks for your video and thanks for the response when I had a question!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Hey Chris! You have no idea how much I appreciate your comment! So happy and thankful I was able to help get a project done! If there are questions outside of my videos, please don’t hesitate to ask! I’ll be honest when I don’t have an answer...have a blessed evening/day when you read this...Talk with you later!

[@seanfarrell2073]

Fantastic video, I'm a stain and paint finisher and have a first time baluster install. I've finished hundreds of stairs but first time doing the iron so thanks. Altho I've always preferred finishing wood b4 iron install.

[@ShawnCiotti]

This was an insanely easy tip! I used the boot on the bottom and top of the rails, so I was able to drive a screw in the top as well. These things are solid. Super quick install; no messing around with epoxy. Thanks, Hunter!

[@huntercarlson5446]

You are welcome! Glad to help! I really like the design with boots at the top of the balusters as well! Thank you so much for your time and comment! Have a great day!

[@Topjunkie-r4s]

Shawn - the screw - r u taking about using a drywall type screw kind of a wedge? Or did you screw right through the baluster into the wood?

[@TruthHurtsLiars]

Thank you so much for your videos they are so helpful. I used your stair rail video to do my rail and wouldn't have had the confidence to do it myself with good result if it wasn’t for your video. You deserve many many more subscribers!

[@spenceroverby5283]

Hunter -- you rock!!! Thanks for taking the time to video & explain -- I re-did our staircase yesterday -- amazing. The lift the blister and use drywall screws was perfect -- Thank You!!!!

[@hbofbyu1]

Thanks for close ups and explaining the details and equipment info. Excellent.

[@kaenna1]

Thanks so much for this. Some cheat of a repairman was trying to charge me $2K to replace my balusters and newell post. This solves a huge part of my problem.

[@jamesphillips9272]

Part of the problem? Weak rail? Just curious

[@kaname223]

I was quoted $4800 to replace balusters and sand the hand rails , this is just labor

[@chrisdotgoff]

Cheat?

[@nursegilbey]

why are they a "cheat" though? Hardly hear anyone making these comments about plumbers and electricians. If you can DIY, that's great, but carpenters/handymen should be able to charge whatever fee reflects their value.

[@johnrpolo]

Dude, that was seriously one of the best DIY videos I've seen on KZbin. You're a great speaker and a provided some really helpful tips. I also really appreciate the fact that you take the time to answer questions in the comment section. I look forward to checking out some more of your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@huntercarlson5446]

John thank you so much for your comment! Sorry it took a while to respond to you! I haven’t uploaded a video in a while, but I will get back to taking more footage of my work here very soon! Thank you for the motivation! Have a blessed day 😎

[@dgomes1967]

Super simple and very effective. I have watched other videos and they have over complicated it. Your working efficiently and delivering a quality product. Thanks for producing this for us nobs!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you so much for the compliment! Please let me know if you have any questions! Have a blessed day!

[@NGregs840]

Screw in the bottom of the baulister worked perfect. Thanks!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Heck yea! Thanks for letting me know! Have a blessed day 😎

[@assakesomanlockman7179]

Fantastic job Hunter. I am in the process of doing the same. Your video is worth a day spent in the classroom.

[@Lee-fe2kh]

Hunter great video! I am doing 80 ballasters and we all watched this video and are following it step by step

[@huntercarlson5446]

Awesome! Thank you for watching and spending time on the channel! Please get back to me with any questions or at least let me know how it goes! Have a blessed day 😎

[@amejia241]

Thank God for this video.... You saved me money and time Hunter. Much appreciated. Returning the epoxy i just purchased!

[@diycheapneasy6460]

Thanks for the great video. I'm gonna tackle this in the next couple of weeks and had no clue of the process. You made it look very easy... thanks! 👊🏾

[@mikeblack6053]

You’re the man! I’m replacing my Mom’s wood balusters with some depot iron. I woke up at 3am stressing about not being able to figure this out and having to let the old lady down (I’ve watched like 8 hours of videos, I really didn’t wanna use glue because I knew I’d mess up multiple times) and then I ran across your video. I got pumped up and ran to the store for 6am opening. Got my first baluster up after about an hour lol I discovered I have a new problem now... I don’t have a flat table to use so I can’t figure out how to clamp the baluster down to cut it with my recip saw. I ended up standing on it and cutting it off my Mom’s deck.. Dangerous, but got the job done. If you have any makeshift clamping ideas I’d appreciate a plug! Also, I used to sell structural screws for a company named FastenMaster, we also had this sweet industrial hot glue gun called PAMFast. I believe you’re a finish guy, I bet you’d like it (only buy the yellow glue though, much stronger on wood to wood).

[@huntercarlson5446]

Awesome! Glad I am able to help out! Please let me know how it goes or if you have any questions. Have a blessed day!

[@TrussttN01]

I clamped mine in a workmate bench, and cut them with the angle grinder.

[@davidrostcheck]

The drywall screw tip is *so much better*! You rock!

[@cjordan7284]

Great video. Very detailed--your a good teacher.

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you very much! If you have any questions please let me know! Have a great day! 😆

[@rossentownsend4936]

Nice! I like the screw versus the glue...

[@americosorto9048]

Good work! Me as a painter though it would be nice to paint or stain everything before the irons

[@huntercarlson5446]

I completely agree with you! D R Horton does there schedule different ways that don’t make sense! It really sucks for you to do your job to mask all that off! It really makes no difference to me because I have to come back to finish base, install hardware...Thank you for your time and comment! Hope you have a blessed day! Any questions in the future let me know...

[@Hogwarts-Dropout]

@@huntercarlson5446 The rolls of tape that's wasted in doing it that way. That's just unnecessary expense for D.r. Horton.

[@huntercarlson5446]

Oh I hear ya! But that’s the way they just insist on doing it...I guess every home builder has a few things done differently, but in regards to just the painters they do have to waste a bunch of tape!

[@Irojas1995]

Jigsaw with metal blade cuts cleaner and works well also bandsaws is another option to cut balusters with

[@mikeinsugarland]

Thanks for taking the time to do this video with clear instructions and explanations !! Great stuffs ..

[@huntercarlson5446]

Very welcome! Thanks for your time watching and commenting! If there are any questions please let me know! Have a blessed day! 😎

[@JaredKroh]

Thanks man! This video is just what I was looking for. Drywall screw trick worked beautifully.

[@SherryAussie-u1y]

Great Job Dude, you solved my problem dry wall screw

[@lisajohnson2000]

Thank you for helping me figure out how to fix my railing great work and much appreciated.

[@HeyLookWhatICanDo]

Great idea for future proofing the project especially in a home well used.

[@huntercarlson5446]

Appreciate it Nathan! Thanks for watching and have a blessed day 😎

[@scubaseppy]

Thanks Hunter! I was going to buy some crazy mounting options, I love this method!!

[@J.D.416]

This is so smart! I'm going to be doing my stairs sometime this week (going from carpet to hardwood) and this method seems so much more efficient and easier than other methods. I might even be able reuse my current plowed handrail if I'm securing to the treads via a screw. Might even try to screw the top of the spindle to the handrail and cover it with the other boot. So cool

[@huntercarlson5446]

Appreciate your input! Great idea on adding a boot to the top as well, definitely adds some additional detail to the rail! Hope you are successful with your project! Have a blessed day 😎

[@sunilsethi9671]

Hunter, you made it look so simple. Excellent video.

[@Justice4300]

Man thank you for this video. I literally just counted mine and in total I only have 26. Only thing i have to do is drill all mine out cause the wood one’s on there now are just nailed in. And appreciate that great trick with the Sheetrock screw. It’s the little things that count the most.

[@huntercarlson5446]

You are very welcome! Thanks for taking the time to comment! Make sure to drill about 1 1/2” down so you can slide the baluster down into the hole and then slide up into the handrail hole for securing...if you have any additional questions I’m here to help! Have a blessed day!

[@noahb.7838]

You make everything look easy that's for sure.

[@huntercarlson5446]

Appreciate it! Definitely comes with a bunch of practice! Thanks for watching and have a blessed day 😎

[@Notime2waste_tito]

Thanks man saved me a bunch of time with the drywall screw action tip I also used boots on both top and bottom

[@huntercarlson5446]

Love it! So glad I was able to help! I really like the look of boots on bottom and top! Gives a little extra detail to the rail! Have a blessed day 😎

[@ranauldperez3118]

Thanks for sharing your technique - saves me the glue, and no messy glue accidents

[@huntercarlson5446]

Very welcome! Thanks for taking your time to watch and leave a comment! If you have any questions please let me know! Have a blessed day 😎

[@edschultz5718]

I do mine the same way, 1/2" at the top and 11/16 on the bottom. I put Lexel clear in the top holes though, this stops the tops of the balusters from rattling if the oak rail would shrink. Ive seen guys take the rail apart, install the balusters and then put the top rail back on. Which is insane unless I get paid a hell of a lot more!

[@edschultz5718]

I always cut my metal balusters with a jig saw instead of using the chop saw too. Less noise

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you so much for all the comments on this and other videos of mine! I really appreciate your time watching and then commenting on your tricks that make it work for you! Glad to hear you do things almost the same way! Hope you have a blessed day 😎

[@OB1974]

Another outstanding video. Very helpful for my diy project.

[@huntercarlson5446]

If you have any questions, I’ll do my best to answer them…thanks for watching and have a blessed day 😎

[@CarlosLopez-tt5py]

Great Great video will help with my project thxs

[@DailyLifeStyle7]

Love you brother, and thanks 🙏 for the precious video.

[@AndreaOakes]

Thanks this cleared up my toxic trait thinking I could do this myself looking for a pro now 👍🏽

[@lindarock5940]

Oh I hope this works for my project. Thank you! This was a fun video too. Good job!

[@Topjunkie-r4s]

At 8:00, what are you screwing into? R u using a generic screw and is there a hole in the baluster?

[@huntercarlson5446]

I am using an 1 1/4” wood screw(Philips head). I am angling the screw so it creates a wedge in the holes that I have drilled in my rail cap. Hold the screw tight to the flat side of the baluster and screw in until the screw head meets the center of the baluster…if done correctly then you will scratch the baluster a bit with the screw and create a tight wedge by running your screw into the rail cap and sub floor, but don’t worry about the scratch it will be covered by the boot at the end… Hope this helps! Thank you for watching and have a blessed day 😎

[@Topjunkie-r4s]

@@huntercarlson5446 thank you for the reply Hunter. What size hole did you drill in this video?

[@huntercarlson5446]

@user-nv2gw1tt5o The top holes on the flat runs are 1/2”. The top holes on the rake run are 5/8”. All the bottom holes are 11/16”. These measurements are for a 5/8” thick baluster…

[@prof.crastinator]

cool that blippy landed on his feet. Construction 👍🏼

[@etiquettefiend]

Thanks, the visual helps greatly for a future project!

[@chrismurray5512]

Love the video. As a finisher, I’d be so mad that you put these in before I stained the railing!

[@huntercarlson5446]

I completely understand! Unfortunately these "track" home builders stick to tight schedules and require me to have the rail finished on 1st trim. The painters are at least use to it on these DR Horton projects. I don't enough time to make an additional trip back to the house to complete the balusters after paint is finished. Thank you for watching and have a blessed day 😎

[@MrFrancescotri]

great installation technique!

[@zchase2393]

Taking this on this weekend, thanks for the help!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Sorry I didn’t respond in time! Did you try it out last weekend?! Hope I was able to help! Have a blessed day 😎

[@pareyes72]

You are the MAN.

[@thatdudemoney]

Thanks for the video. I found it to be very helpful

[@zoechavarria7695]

Thank you definitely took the headache and stress away with this easy tutorial. 👍🏽

[@huntercarlson5446]

Very welcome! Thank you for your time watching and leaving a comment! Please let me know if you have any questions! Have a blessed day!

[@zoechavarria7695]

@@huntercarlson5446 Thank you👊🏽

[@randylavine3003]

VERY, VERY well done video!

[@KirkCampbell-oe6wk]

thanks bro i needed this video

[@toddbeachy3572]

Awesome my man! No more epoxy for me, i knew there had to be an easier way!!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Right! The glue and epoxy caused so many warranty issues for my business…the screw method took all those headaches away! Thanks for your support! Have a blessed day 😎

[@BenFogie]

Good stuff. Thanks for the clear instruction.

[@bennyportillo7674]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge 😎

[@mikehogan1827]

Nice job of explaining this. Very helpful.

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you! Let me know if you have any questions! Have a blessed day 😎

[@vazquezcustomwoodwork2620]

Very nice work

[@dylanbrown5066]

I do stairs for a living and about the same age. I do the same thing with the screws but always glue the tops, probably not needed but i just always have. I only use a #8 3/4" screw though, like a hinge screw. I use a 7¼ dewalt miter saw with a metal blade, cuts iron like butter. But ill cut 4 at a time with a jig like you For the caps i have a Milwaukee battery ratchet with a t10 bit. That thing is a gamechanger for me. Ill never go back to an allen wrench lol ill use a piece of lattice and push it against the shoes like a straight edge then tighten them

[@michaelbuono9826]

Very nice step-by-step! 10:00

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you very much! Any questions let me know! Have a blessed day!

[@windsurfer7642]

Now I can return the epoxy. Great tips!

[@huntercarlson5446]

You are very welcome! Any questions before you get started please let me know! There are some other comments on this video where I have gone into some detail, but don’t hesitate to ask! Have a blessed day!

[@Videspro]

You got a new subscriber and that is the work I’m going to do tomorrow

[@justinNkc]

Thanks for the video helped out alot! **** Anyone else notice their balusters being a little bent or crooked from the manufacturer?*****

[@LilianaDawson-l6b]

Great video! Thanks for explaining everything so clearly. This is so helpful. One question...am I the only one that noticed the bag downstairs move by itself @ 12:26? A little creeped out! Lol

[@ALKUKES]

2:26 that thing got blown away, i first thought shttt ghost

[@Monsterverseevolvedgodzilla]

Thank you very much ! The trick with the screw 👍

[@Godourhero]

Great demonstration! Thank you!!! And lol I see the shirt, my home town!! Go Atlanta!!! 🥳

[@tiana.alonda2961]

Just brought my home and I want this look

[@lashawncollins7158]

Great video Hunter.

[@NathanAnderson-b6b]

WOW, I'm so glad I watched your video!!! I am putting my balusters in tonight and was going to use glue. Getting drywall screws instead.

[@stevefridman]

Awesome hack, thanks. Is everyone putting the boot only on the bottom and not top? Wondering if this is just a style preference.

[@huntercarlson5446]

I’ve done iron balusters with boots on the top and bottom. It’s just a personal preference, however it does add extra detail to the overall handrail. Just make sure the handrail is wide enough on the bottom for a boot to secure nicely to the top! Thank for watching and have a blessed day 😎

[@stevefridman]

@huntercarlson5446 that’s an excellent point. I’ve just checked and the bottom of my handrails is just a hair wider than the shoe, so I think adding the shoe will make things out of balance.

[@joseherreraramos299]

Thank you for your video, that helped me a lot. You won a new subscription.

[@MR-tp2jk]

Great video. Very informative

[@freddyvazquez7888]

how about the hole placement and how did they line up bottom to top?

[@robertpisaneschi3526]

Most excellent video Hunter, thank you !

[@huntercarlson5446]

Hey! Thank you so much! Appreciate you taking the time to watch and give your feedback! Any questions don’t hesitate! Have a great day!

[@nasd6799]

I am about to do this. This video was great!!! Thank you!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you very much for the positive feedback! Sorry I haven’t responded in weeks! I was camping and had no service for a while! Please don’t hesitate with any questions, I will respond much faster now that I’m back in town! Have a blessed day!

[@kaname223]

Excellent thank you for sharing What do you about rattling balusters?

[@KaioStryker]

Thank you for this Hunter

[@huntercarlson5446]

You are very welcome!

[@janedoe805]

OMG, I apologize, l took one look at you and immediately thought you were about 18 to 21 years old... And I thought this kid wasn’t going to know what he what doing. I sincerely apologize and I’m ashamed of myself. You did a wonderful job and explained everything perfectly! I’m subscribed and rang the notification bell! Please accept my apology. Signed, An Old Lady (Who should have known better!)

[@huntercarlson5446]

No need for an apology! I’m just thankful that you continued to watch and changed your opinion! I appreciate your support in subscribing to the channel! Hope I can give you some motivation to start a project in your home some day! Have a blessed day 😎

[@PPSStandard]

Thank you this is exactly what I was looking for Thank sir good video

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you very much! Hope u have a great day! And look forward to hearing from you again!

[@stewsmith3536]

great video-I'm going to replace existing wood balusters that were nailed and glued to the base. How deep show the 11/16 inch be?

[@sheroncrudup6613]

Thank you for this awesome information!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you very much for the compliment! Have a blessed day!

[@FerrisBueller-lj9zj]

Like those drywall screw 👏👏👏

[@huntercarlson5446]

Appreciate you! Let me know if you have any questions! Have a blessed day!😎

[@FerrisBueller-lj9zj]

@@huntercarlson5446 used the screw idea VERY successfully today ty🙏🙏🙏 Wanna drop a few helpful tips for your viewers if that's okay 1. When cutting your balusters on steps the first one will be shorter than the next by 4 inches or so because the railing is going higher at the back of the step 2. Trying to measure balusters with double baskets can be tough to get an accurate measurement because the features dont let the tape sit flat. If you know you are cutting off 6 or 10 inches each time, just measure that from the bottom of the baluster. It's easier to be accurate. 3. Definitely use screws. They worked so well

[@huntercarlson5446]

Awesome! 😎 Thank you for following up and sharing your quick tips after using my technique to secure the balusters! Great idea on measuring the basket balusters from the bottom! Also great tip on installing the balusters on stairs! Usually there will be 2 or 3 balusters per stair and you are exactly right, about 4 inches added to each baluster working your way back on each stair! Thank you very much for following up and adding great content to the channel through the comments! LOVE the hints from you! Any questions in the future don’t hesitate...have a blessed day!

[@tajuanriley7554]

Hi great video, but do you mind sharing the baluster materials you used, the actual balusters and the covers, can you share a link please.

[@roadcoadog]

For the upstairs post, what height is visually pleasing, from top to bottom, including cap too.

[@haydendavies4583]

You mentioned cut the spindle one and half inch longer than the height, but what depth do you drill into the hand rail and the bottom ? 🤔 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@huntercarlson5446]

Drill about 1 1/2” - 2” at the bottom. About 1” at the top for the nub of the baluster, or measure how long the nub is at the top of your baluster and drill a little more than that measurement. Hope this helps and thanks for watching! Have a blessed day 😎

[@haydendavies4583]

@@huntercarlson5446 Cheers 👍🙂

[@renaestucki5587]

Great video and explanation! Beautiful work. I hope you can help me.. we are installing a shoe on top of the spindle however when I tighten the Alan wrench, the shoe tilts. Do you have a solution? Thank you for your time!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you so much for the compliment! I sometimes have the same issue with installing “boots” on the top of the baluster touching the handrail... my only advice that I can give you is to hold the boot super tight to the top and tighten the Alan screw...it will tilt just a bit unfortunately, don’t know if it’s the boot or what...in the past I’ve had about a 1/8” gap on 1 side of the boot with the other side touching snug to the handrail... This is just a guess...haven’t tried it myself... you know how there is additional space that the boot leaves around the baluster, try wedging a flat head screw driver (maybe tape the end first so it doesn’t scratch) and while you are holding the boot tight to the handrail with the screw driver wedged between baluster and boot on the Alan screw side, then tighten the screw. I’m hoping with the additional friction it will help keep that boot in place. I really hope this helps! Sorry I don’t have a clear cut solution for you right now! Get back to me if you have more questions! Have a blessed day!

[@sarahvanbiber5856]

Hi Hunter! Great video, thank you so much for this! Question for you, we are replacing the old wood balusters with the same 1/2in iron ones you used. The problem is the wood ones were much bigger than the iron ones so we are having to remeasure everything. I know we have to have them less the 4” for spacing but how/where do we start in order to have them evenly spaced or to know what the spacing should be for the space we are working in. For instance we have one railing that is 31in in width, one that’s 51in and one that’s 52in. How do we figure out if it should be 3.5, 3.75 etc?

[@huntercarlson5446]

Ok so let’s start with 52” run of balusters… - 52”(width of run) divided by 4”(spacing) equals 13…there will be 13 spaces of exactly 4” in between each baluster. 12 total balusters for this section. Next let’s do 51” run of balusters… - we know 52” is exactly 13 spaces of 4”… - we need to loose 1 inch on spacing over 13 spaces… - in this case each space will be 3 15/16”, loosing 1/16 each spacing… with 13 spaces we will be off about 3/16 at the end…so split the difference on each end… -I would start with 3 7/8” on the first spacing then 3 15/16” for the next 11 spaces, ending with around 3 7/8” for the last… Now for 31” - let’s get to the closest number divisible by 4…which is 32 -32 divided by 4 is 8…so 8 spaces and 7 balusters…now to get the spacing - we need to loose 1 inch over 8 spaces…there are 16/16ths in 1 inch…so we need to loose 1/8” each space… - each spacing will be 3 7/8” for the run… Really hope this helps! I have another video building 1 section of rail start to finish with iron balusters…please check that out! I show you how I mark the spacing and drill the holes for the balusters… Thanks for watching and have a blessed day!

[@sarahvanbiber5856]

@@huntercarlson5446 Thank you so much! I really appreciate this! Have the best day!

[@SuperSouthstreet]

@@huntercarlson5446 you've got a gift for explaining with clarity which creates an understanding. Kudos!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching and have a blessed day 😎

[@summerthompson9428]

Thanks for the great tips. I just wanted to verify that I am supposed to be inserting the screw at an angle through the metal and into the wood? Any chance you can share a close up pic of the base of the baluster with the screw installed?

[@huntercarlson5446]

So sorry I haven’t responded in a long while! Was camping for 2 weeks and don’t have service...insert the screw at an angle next to the baluster so when the round head of the screw passes the flat part of the baluster it pinches the baluster to the wood...unfortunately I don’t have a picture to show you right now...the next chance I get installing iron balusters I will take another video and pictures! I also have some very lengthy responses to comments on this video that would help! Summer please don’t hesitate to ask another question! I will get back to you much faster this time! Have a blessed day!

[@juliojordan7389]

Nice ,good. Best video in youtube,,,i am ready to do a full wood raillings whit a metal balusters, I will do the way you say,, honestly your video help me alot,,, all the best for you and family... god bless you......👌👌🙏🙏

[@carefuld9779]

Thanks, Hunter, for explaining and making it easy for females to understand the process. I will definitely try before calling the professionals for help, lol.

[@huntercarlson5446]

Let me know if you run into any issues! Have a blessed day!

[@carefuld9779]

@@huntercarlson5446 Will do. BTW, I just subscribed from 🇨🇦

[@huntercarlson5446]

Love it! Thank you very much for your support!

[@candihild6656]

Awesome video!! I am a bit shocked they did not finish the wood prior to having you install though!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you very much! I totally understand your shock on having the wood finished prior! Really it only affects the painter for the job...a lot more work masking off all the iron! Sometimes when I’m installing I might scratch the wood on accident so installing the iron before is easier for me to sand the mistake. This is how DR Horton does their schedule...if it was my home I would install after paint or stain and be extra careful 😉

[@RobRobinson-b2t]

What wood do you use for the the top of the stair wall where the bottom of the balusters go into

[@mexistha7936]

Do you have video of how you installed the post ??

[@jennifermason1005]

Did you stop making videos? This was so thorough, yet easy to follow.

[@LUNARBABY001]

Thanks for this fantastic tip!!!!!

[@huntercarlson5446]

Try it out and let me know if you have any questions! I have a bunch of descriptive responses in other comments…might help! I’ll also have another rail/ iron baluster install coming in a few weeks… Have a blessed day 😎

[@allenmitchell9772]

Thx Hunter. Great video. I’m about to do this over the weekend. My balusters were installed with a dowel pin on the bottom. The hole to accommodate this is about 1 1/2” deep and 7/8” diameter. The top hole is about 7/8” deep. My questions: 1) is the donated of the tread hole to wide to accommodate this method? 2) should I drill the top hole deeper and put a plug in the tread hole? 3) I know this is a no glue method but wouldn’t a little glue in the top hole better secure the balusters? Thx for your help.

[@huntercarlson5446]

Hey Allen! Thanks for watching and hope this will help you with your install! 1) the hole might be a little wide but as long as you pinch the baluster with the head of the screw it should hold nice and tight! Run the screw tight and parallel to the flat surface of the baluster, once the head of the screw pinches against the flat part of the baluster it should be nice and tight! 2) if the “nib” on the top of your balusters are smaller than 7/8” then don’t drill the top holes deeper…you may need to drill the bottom holes deeper depending on the size you cut the balusters…if the holes on the handrail or the top holes are too big to hold the baluster tight, you can use the screw method and use a boot at the top to cover the screw and hole. 3) you can totally add glue to the top of the balusters…when I drill the top holes myself I make them either 1/2” for a flat section of rail and 5/8” for the rake section of the handrail. Those size holes hold the baluster nice and tight and I have never needed glue…also without glue it’s a little easier to replace them in the future if needed. Hope this helps! I’ll be available this weekend to answer some more questions if you have them! Have a blessed day 😎

[@allenmitchell9772]

@@huntercarlson5446 thanks Hunter for the quick response. The balusters just arrived and the nib is less than 7/8” so I can now see how tight the top will be. Also looks like the gap in the bottom is not as wide as I thought. I might just put in 2 screws to stop any movement. Again I appreciate the time you took to make this video and your quick and thorough response. Have a great weekend!

[@huntercarlson5446]

I have used 2 screws on the bottom sometimes to help secure so I feel you will figure it out! Let me know if something comes up! Thank you for your support!

[@b.w.7708]

@@huntercarlson5446 I'm replacing doweld balusters with rod iron. So I already have a hole on the bottom and adding a new handrail. I was concerned that the existing hole may be too big. The shoe would cover it fine, but learning your 1 or 2 screw trick eased my mind on getting them sturdy! Thanks!

[@huntercarlson5446]

I’m glad I was able to help! If you have any questions when it comes time to install your balusters don’t hesitate to reach out! I’ll be happy to answer to the best of my ability! Thanks for watching and looking through the comments! Have a blessed day 😎

[@oswaldomartinez1537]

Good video , nice explanation 👍🏾

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you very much! Let me know if you have any questions! Have a blessed day!

[@jamesa6045]

Excellent job!!! Thank you

[@huntercarlson5446]

Thank you for your time watching and leaving a comment! I truly appreciate it! Have a blessed day 😎

[@Mary-dc1qm]

So you have a video on how your made your staircase railings?

[@sarimhasan2073]

what do you do if your holes are too big. i’m changing mine rn and it used to be wood my new metal spindles are significantly smaller